Author

admin

Browsing

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Monday (September 22) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.

Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ethereum and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$112,214, a 2.9 percent decrease in 24 hours and its lowest valuation of the day. The cryptocurrency’s price peaked at US$113,384 on Monday.

Bitcoin price performance, September 22, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Bitcoin dropped to the US$112,000 range after falling below a key support level, triggering the year’s largest long-liquidation event — over US$1.7 billion in leveraged long positions were closed.

The decline came even as some investor accumulation showed through surging exchange outflows and rising longs on platforms like Bitfinex, which added pressure from both sides.

Bitcoin dominance in the crypto market is 56.74 percent, showing a slight rise week-on-week.

Ether (ETH) was trading at US$4,141.26, down by 7.9 percent. Its lowest valuation as of Monday was US$4,138.92, while its highest was US$4,213.42.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) was priced at US$217.12, a decrease of 8.7 percent over the last 24 hours to its lowest valuation of the day. Its highest value was US$223.83.
  • XRP was trading for US$2.83, down by 5.2 percent in the past 24 hours, also reaching its lowest valuation of the day as markets wrapped. Its highest level was US$2.86.
  • Sui (SUI) was valued at US$3.32, trading at its lowest valuation of the day and down by 8.8 percent over the past 24 hours. Its highest price point on Monday was US$3.40.
  • Cardano (ADA) was priced at US$0.8156, down by 8.2 percent over 24 hours to its lowest value of the day. Its highest was US$0.832.

Crypto market insights

Total cryptocurrency liquidations have reached US$132.07 million in the past four hours, with long positions accounting for US$81.71 million and short positions reaching US$50.36 million. This activity signals bearish pressure in the derivatives market, as forced selling of longs often reflects market downside pressure.

Conversely, the BTC perpetual futures funding rate sits at 0.0081 percent, an indication of bullish sentiment.

Ethereum shows similar dynamics, with a funding rate of 0.002 percent; however, bullishness for Ethereum is milder versus Bitcoin. Open interest for BTC and ETH futures stands at US$81.91 billion and US$57.95 billion, respectively.

Anticipated regulatory hearings on crypto oversight, tentatively scheduled to be held by the end of the month, as well as key macroeconomic data releases and remarks from US Federal Reserve policymakers at the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce 2025 Economic Outlook Luncheon, are expected to influence market direction this week.

Existing US home sales data is also due on Wednesday (September 24). It will give insight on the state of the housing market, one of the key components of consumer spending and overall economic health.

Fear and Greed Index snapshot

CMC’s Crypto Fear & Greed Index has remained firmly in neutral territory over the past week.

The past week’s negative funding rates on perpetual futures and long/short ratios suggest slight caution, but strong exchange-traded fund (ETF) inflows and recent whale buying show underlying bullish conviction.

CMC Crypto Fear and Greed Index, Bitcoin price and Bitcoin volume.

Chart via CoinMarketCap.

Today’s crypto news to know

Coinbase launches Mag7 + Crypto Equity Index Futures

Coinbase Global (NASDAQ:COIN) announced the launch of Mag7 + Crypto Equity Index Futures, a monthly, cash-settled futures contract that offers equal exposure to 10 assets:

  • Coinbase’s own shares.
  • BlackRock’s Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

The index follows an even-weighting methodology, with all 10 components representing 10 percent each, and will be rebalanced quarterly. It marks the first US-listed derivative combining traditional equities with crypto.

Strive to acquire Semler Scientific

Strive (NASDAQ:ASST), a former asset manager led by former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, has agreed to acquire Semler Scientific (NASDAQ:SMLR), a former healthcare tech firm that shifted its strategy by adopting Bitcoin as its primary treasury reserve asset in 2024. Strive itself became a Bitcoin treasury company in 2025 through a merger with Asset Entities, going public to pursue its Bitcoin accumulation strategy.

The all-stock deal is valued at about US$1.34 billion. According to Reuters, the combined entity will hold over 10,900 BTC, making it one of the largest corporate Bitcoin holders globally.

Strive announced a significant US$675 million Bitcoin purchase alongside the acquisition, boosting its Bitcoin holdings from about 70 BTC to almost 6,000 BTC before the acquisition closes. The deal also includes a 210 percent premium offer to Semler shareholders, exchanging each Semler share for 21.05 shares of Strive Class A stock.

“We are proud to announce this exciting strategic merger combining two pioneering Bitcoin treasury companies to form a scaled, innovative and accretive Bitcoin acquisition platform,” said Matt Cole, chairman and CEO of Strive.

Metaplanet becomes fifth largest corporate Bitcoin holder

Tokyo-based Metaplanet (TSE:3350,OTCQX:MTPLF) has cemented itself as a heavyweight in corporate crypto holdings, announcing the purchase of 5,419 BTC worth US$633 million.

The acquisition boosts its total stash to 25,555 BTC valued at nearly US$3 billion, making it the fifth largest corporate Bitcoin treasury, according to BitcoinTreasuries.net. The buy came at an average of about US$117,000 per Bitcoin, leaving the firm temporarily down almost 4 percent as spot prices hovered closer to US$112,500.

Despite the purchase, Metaplanet’s share price has struggled to keep pace. The company has tumbled by more than 30 percent over the past month, even as shares rose modestly this week.

London prepares for US$7 billion Bitcoin fraud trial

The UK is bracing for one of its most significant crypto trials as Zhimin Qian, a Chinese national accused of orchestrating a US$7 billion Ponzi-style fraud, faces charges in London starting on September 29.

Qian allegedly ran Tianjin Lantian Gerui Electronic Technology, a scheme that lured nearly 130,000 investors in China with promises of triple-digit returns between 2014 and 2017.

After China’s crypto ban, she fled to Britain and converted proceeds into Bitcoin, some of which were later seized in UK money laundering probes linked to her associate Jian Wen, already convicted in 2024. Prosecutors have avoided direct fraud charges, instead focusing on offenses tied to the possession and transfer of illicit cryptocurrency.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Analysts say China has developed a chilling strategy for fighting a war with the United States: destroy America’s fighter jets before they ever leave the ground.

In nearly every modern conflict, disabling enemy aircraft on the ground has been the first move. When Israel struck Iranian nuclear sites earlier this year, it began by destroying Iranian runways — grounding Tehran’s air force before it could take off. Russia and Ukraine have done the same throughout their ongoing war, targeting airfields to cripple enemy aircraft. And when India clashed with Pakistan, the opening salvos hit Pakistani air bases.

Beijing has taken that lesson to heart. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has spent years building an arsenal of long-range precision missiles — including ‘carrier killers’ like the DF-21D and DF-26 — capable of destroying U.S. aircraft carriers and striking American airfields across the Pacific. The goal: keep U.S. air power out of range before it can even launch.

Now, a U.S. defense technology firm says it has built a way to fight back. Shield AI, based in San Diego, has unveiled a new AI-piloted fighter jet designed to operate without runways, without GPS, and without constant communication links — an aircraft that can think, fly, and fight on its own.

Shield AI says the jet, called X-BAT, can take off vertically, reach 50,000 feet, fly more than 2,000 nautical miles, and execute strike or air defense missions using an onboard autonomy system known as Hivemind. It’s designed to operate from ships, small islands, or improvised sites — places where traditional jets can’t. The aircraft’s dash speed remains classified.

‘China has built this anti-access aerial denial bubble that holds our runways at risk,’ said Armor Harris, Shield AI’s senior vice president of aircraft engineering, in an interview with Fox News. ‘They’ve basically said, ‘We’re not going to compete stealth-on-stealth in the air — we’ll target your aircraft before they even get off the ground.’’

The jet launches vertically, and three X-BATs can fit in the space of one legacy fighter or helicopter.

According to Harris, the U.S. has spent decades perfecting stealth and survivability in the air while leaving its forces vulnerable on the ground. ‘The way to solve that problem is mobility,’ he said. ‘You’re always moving around. This is the only VTOL fighter being built today.’

X-BAT’s Hivemind autonomy allows it to operate in denied or jammed environments, where traditional aircraft would be blind. The system uses onboard sensors to interpret its surroundings, reroute around threats, and identify targets in real time. ‘It’s reading and reacting to the situation around it,’ Harris said. ‘It’s not flying a pre-programmed route. If new threats appear, it can reroute itself or identify targets and then ask a human for permission to engage.’

That human element, he emphasized, remains essential. ‘It’s very important to us that a human is always involved in making the use of lethal force decision,’ Harris said. ‘That doesn’t mean the person has to be in the cockpit — it could be remote or delegated through tasking — but there will always be a human decision-maker.’

Shield AI says X-BAT will be combat-ready by 2029 and is designed to deliver fifth- or sixth-generation performance at a small fraction of the cost of manned fighters. The aircraft’s compact footprint allows up to three X-BATs to fit in the deck space of a single legacy fighter or helicopter, giving commanders more flexibility in launching sorties from limited space.

While Shield AI isn’t disclosing specific numbers, the company says X-BAT is priced in the same range as the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, the next generation of autonomous wingmen meant to fly alongside — and eventually ahead of — manned fighters. Costs vary depending on mission systems and configurations, but the company’s goal is to scale production to keep the jet affordable and sustainable throughout its lifecycle, breaking what it calls the traditional ‘fighter cost curve.’

The company estimates the aircraft will deliver about a tenfold improvement in cost per effect compared to legacy fifth-generation jets, including the F-35, while remaining ‘affordable and attritable’ enough to be risked in high-end combat.

Shield AI is in discussions with both the Air Force and Navy about integrating X-BAT into future combat programs and with several allied militaries exploring joint development opportunities.

Harris said the company views X-BAT as part of a generational shift toward distributed airpower — one that mirrors what SpaceX did in space. ‘Historically, the United States had a small number of extremely capable, extremely expensive satellites,’ he said. ‘Then you had SpaceX come along and put up hundreds of smaller, cheaper ones. The same thing is happening in air power. There’s always going to be a role for manned platforms, but over time, unmanned systems will outnumber them ten-to-one or twenty-to-one.’

For Harris, that shift is about restoring deterrence through flexibility. ‘X-BAT presents an asymmetric dilemma to an adversary like China,’ he said. ‘They don’t know where it’s coming from, and the cost of countering it is high. It’s an important part of a broader joint force that becomes significantly more lethal.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

Mali’s military government has approved a fresh round of mining agreements under its revised code.

On September 19, the country’s Council of Ministers ratified seven exploitation and exploration agreements.

According to Reuters, the deals cover some of Mali’s biggest gold operations, including Allied Gold’s (TSX:AAUC,NYSE:AAUC) Sadiola project, B2Gold’s (TSX:BTO,NYSE:BTG) Fekola mine, Resolute Mining’s (ASX:RSG,LSE:RSG) Syama site and Ganfeng Lithium’s (OTC Pink:GNENF,HKEX:1772) Bougouni lithium project.

The government said the agreements guarantee Mali a “non-reducible” stake in projects along with priority access to dividends, part of its drive to secure greater revenue from natural resources.

The approvals follow preliminary accords reached last year and reflect the provisions of the 2023 mining code, which lifted royalties to 10 percent from 6.5 percent and increased mandatory state and local ownership in mines to at least 35 percent from 20 percent. Companies such as Endeavour Mining (TSX:EDV,LSE:EDV,OTCQX:EDVMF) have already signed deals on those terms, while Allied Gold, B2Gold and Ganfeng Lithium have not release any statements.

Barrick Mining (TSX:ABX,NYSE:B), by contrast, has resisted the government’s demands and remains locked in a confrontation that has now spilled into courts and international arbitration.

Tensions escalated in November 2024, when Malian authorities arrested four of the company’s employees, including a regional manager, on allegations of money laundering, terrorism financing and tax violations.

A judge later granted bail set at 50 billion CFA francs (about US$90.3 million), but prosecutors appealed, keeping the employees in jail pending review by the Court of Appeal, Bloomberg reported. The arrests are widely seen as part of a protracted standoff over Barrick’s Loulo-Gounkoto complex, once the company’s largest African operation.

Mali has pressed for a larger share of profits under the new mining code, while Barrick has resisted altering its existing arrangements. The dispute intensified this year when government forces twice removed bullion directly from the site.

In January, officials seized 3 metric tons of gold and blocked exports, forcing Barrick to suspend operations.

In July, military helicopters again landed unannounced at Loulo-Gounkoto and took more than a metric ton of gold, worth over US$117 million at prevailing prices, without company consent. Barrick has described the seizures as illegal and launched proceedings at the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes. The company also disputes the legitimacy of a provisional administrator installed at Loulo-Gounkoto following a local court order in June.

Despite the tensions, Mali remains one of Africa’s top gold producers, with output from mines operated by foreign companies forming a backbone of state revenues.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Trading in the securities of Corazon Mining Limited (‘CZN’) will be halted at the request of CZN, pending the release of an announcement by CZN.

Unless ASX decides otherwise, the securities will remain in trading halt until the earlier of:

  • the commencement of normal trading on Wednesday, 3 December 2025; or
  • the release of the announcement to the market.

CZN’s request for a trading halt is attached below for the information of the market.

Issued by
ASX Compliance

Click here for the full ASX Release

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Friday accused President Donald Trump of ‘skipping town’ for a trip to Asia during the ongoing government shutdown.

Trump departed for Asia Friday night for a weeklong trip that will include stops in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea. Republicans and Democrats remain divided on negotiations to end the shutdown that began earlier this month, with each side blaming the other as the GOP controls the White House and both chambers of Congress.

‘In the midst of the longest full government shutdown in American history — a crisis of his own making — President Trump’s priorities are severely misplaced,’ Schumer said in a statement.

‘While Americans are struggling to make ends meet, federal workers are going without pay, and millions of families are bracing for soaring health care costs, the President is leaving the country,’ he continued.

Schumer added: ‘America is shut down and the President is skipping town.’

The senator said Democrats have sought to meet with Trump, but that the president is ‘abandoning’ his responsibilities.

‘Democrats have asked, again and again, for President Trump to meet with us to negotiate a bipartisan deal that would address the healthcare crisis, and find a path forward to reopen the government. But instead of doing his job, President Trump is abandoning it,’ Schumer said.

Schumer also called on GOP lawmakers in Congress to work across the aisle to reach a deal to end the shutdown.

‘With the President out of the country, the responsibility falls squarely on Congressional Republicans to act — to come to the table, to do their jobs, and to deliver an agreement that reopens the government and protects Americans from another health care disaster,’ he said.

‘Americans deserve a government that works as hard as they do— not a leader that flies away from responsibility at the time they need one most,’ the top Senate Democrat added.

While in Asia, Trump is expected to meet with regional allies about trade, including the trade war with China, as well as Beijing’s tightening of export controls on rare-earth minerals critical for certain technologies. 

The president is also expected to address security in the region and affirm America’s commitment to supporting its allies.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

The US Federal Reserve lowered its key interest rate for the first time in 2025 this week, while the Bank of Canada resumed cutting after pausing in March, providing a boost to growth-oriented sectors.

Tech stocks, particularly semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) companies, responded positively, reflecting investor optimism about a more supportive monetary environment for tech sector growth.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell cautioned that the cut was a risk-management move motivated by concerns over the labor market’s softness and persistent inflation risks, rather than a sign of strong economic confidence. He highlighted that downside risks to employment have increased, and that inflation remains above the Fed’s 2 percent goal.

Likewise, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem warned that broad-based tariffs and trade tensions pose structural risks to the Canadian economy. He emphasized that, unlike the pandemic bounceback, Canada will not see a quick economic rebound if tariffs persist, as they could permanently lower output and weaken growth across key sectors.

Nasdaq-100 performance, September 12 to 19, 2025.

Chart via Nasdaq.

Against that backdrop, the Nasdaq-100 (INDEXNASDAQ:NDX) put on a strong performance this week, closing at 24,626.25 on Friday (September 19), up 0.7 percent. The index saw momentum build toward the end of the week, supported by growth in technology and semiconductor stocks.

NVIDIA to take US$5 billion stake in Intel

While the Fed’s decision was a key factor for the tech sector this week, a landmark deal stole the spotlight.

A strategic partnership between NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) and Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) dominated the news cycle on Thursday (September 18), sending shockwaves through the semiconductor industry.

In a historic move, NVIDIA announced a US$5 billion investment in Intel as part of a new partnership. The companies will collaborate on custom data center and PC products, aiming to jointly develop custom CPUs and GPUs by integrating NVIDIA’s AI and accelerated computing technologies with Intel’s x86 platforms for data centers and personal computing.

The deal marks a major realignment in the chip industry focused on AI infrastructure innovation. Shares of both companies finished the week higher, with Intel notching a notable 21 percent increase.

Semiconductor exchange-traded funds (ETFs) also surged in response to the NVIDIA-Intel partnership announcement, with the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX) gaining 4.17 percent, the Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXQ) rising 3.93 percent and the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SMH) increasing 3.92 percent over the course of the week, reflecting strengthened investor confidence across the sector.

Semiconductor ETF performance, September 16 to 19, 2025.

Chart via Google Finance.

The Intel-NVIDIA collaboration comes after reports this week that China’s regulatory authority has instructed major tech firms like Alibaba (NYSE:BABA) and ByteDance to stop buying and cancel orders of NVIDIA’s AI chip designed for China. The news sent NVIDIA shares down early in the week, but the company ended the period flat.

The collaboration also helped provide a much-needed boost to Intel’s share price. The company has struggled with operational challenges and a difficult turnaround effort in the highly competitive semiconductor market.

In a direct reaction to the Intel-NVIDIA deal, shares of Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:TSM) declined on Thursday.

The latter company recovered some of its losses on Friday.

Advanced Micro Devices and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company performance, September 16 to 19, 2025.

Chart via Google Finance.

US and UK sign tech prosperity deal

In other tech news, the US and UK signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday, pledging to boost collaboration in science and tech. Called the Technology Prosperity Deal, the arrangement focuses on civil nuclear power, aiming for independence from Russian fuel by late 2028 and developing new tech like small modular reactors.

The agreement also establishes joint task forces for AI standards and security, as well as quantum computing breakthroughs, and explores civil maritime nuclear applications.

Tech news to watch next week

Next week, investors will have an eye on Micron Technology’s (NASDAQ:MU) fiscal Q4 results, scheduled to be released on September 23 after market close. Analysts are estimating revenue of around US$11.15 billion.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN), a professional services company, will also release its fiscal Q4 results next week on September 25, with revenue expected in the US$17 billion range.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

President Donald Trump is heading off to Asia Friday evening, not long after North Korea fired off a ballistic missile for the first time in months and as questions loom regarding trade negotiations with China.

The White House confirmed that Trump will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

The meeting comes amid escalated tensions between the two countries on trade after Beijing announced Oct. 9 it would impose export controls on rare-earth magnets, which are used in a host of products ranging from electric cars to F-35 fighter jets. In response, Trump announced the U.S. would impose a new 100% tariff on all Chinese goods, which is slated to take effect Nov. 1.

Even so, Trump sought to diffuse tensions and has routinely touted his relationship with Xi in recent weeks. Additionally, he has voiced confidence both parties will walk away from the summit pleased and that a deal will be made.

‘I think we are going to come out very well, and everyone’s going to be very happy,’ Trump said Thursday.

The summit between Trump and Xi will mark the first time they’ve met in person since Trump took office in January. The two previously met in person in June 2019 in Japan.

Trump’s meeting with Xi will come on the tail end of a larger trip to the region. Trump is first headed to Malaysia to meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Sunday afternoon before participating in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) dinner in the evening.

While in Malaysia, he will also meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Trump will then head to Tokyo Monday and is slated to meet on Tuesday with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who was just elected earlier in October. Takaichi is the first woman to serve as the prime minister of Japan.

Trump will then close out his trip heading to South Korea, where he will meet with the South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and will deliver keynote remarks at the APEC CEO lunch.

Trump is scheduled to return to Washington Thursday.

Meanwhile, North Korea has upped its aggression in recent days, firing off multiple short-range ballistic missiles Wednesday, the first one Pyongyang has launched since May. Meanwhile, North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un showed off a new intercontinental ballistic missile at a military parade in front of Chinese, Russian and other top officials Oct. 10.

‘We are aware of the DPRK’s multiple ballistic missile launches and are consulting closely with the Republic of Korea and Japan, as well as other regional allies and partners,’ U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) said in a statement on Wednesday.

‘The United States condemns these actions and calls on the DPRK to refrain from further unlawful and destabilizing acts,’ INDOPACOM said. ‘While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel, or territory or to our allies, we continue to monitor the situation.’

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

Investor Insight

Charbone Hydrogen offers a compelling investment opportunity in the US$89 billion Ultra High Purity (UHP) and low-carbon intensity hydrogen market, leveraging a decentralized approach for scalable plant deployment and focusing on environmentally friendly production to reduce carbon footprints.

Overview

Charbone Hydrogen (TSXV:CH,OTCQB:CHHYF,FWB:K47) is an integrated company specialized in Ultra High Purity (UHP) hydrogen and the strategic distribution of industrial gases in North America and the Asia-Pacific region. It is developing a modular network of green hydrogen production while partnering with industry players to supply helium and other specialty gases without the need to build costly new plants. This disciplined strategy diversifies revenue streams, reduces risks, and increases flexibility.

Charbone has recently accelerated its growth trajectory, securing a US$50 million financing to expand across North America, executing a US$1 million collaboration agreement to advance a green hydrogen project in Malaysia, and achieving multiple milestones at its flagship Sorel-Tracy facility in Québec.

With its exclusive focus on UHP green hydrogen, Charbone is positioning itself as a first mover in a multi-billion-dollar market. Leveraging Canada’s abundant hydroelectric power and expanding nuclear capacity, Charbone plans to deliver sustainable hydrogen solutions that meet rising demand from both governments and global industries.

Company Highlights

  • Canada’s only publicly listed green hydrogen company: Charbone Hydrogen offers investors unique exposure to the fast-growing hydrogen economy as a company focused on green hydrogen production and distribution.
  • Building a North American green hydrogen pipeline: The company is advancing multiple projects, anchored by its flagship Sorel-Tracy facility in Québec, to establish a scalable production and distribution network.
  • Well-financed for growth and expansion: Charbone secured a US$50 million financing, facilitated by US Capital Global, to accelerate funding of modular build-out and expand its footprint across North America.
  • Expanding into international markets: Through a US$1 million master collaboration agreement, Charbone is supporting the deployment of a green hydrogen project in Malaysia, highlighting its global reach.
  • Aligned with strong policy and market tailwinds: For years, Canada leaned on centralized, fossil-based reformers. That playbook is obsolete. Now, Quebec’s hydropower surplus runs electrolyzers that split H₂O into H₂ and O₂ with zero carbon footprint. Charbone’s plug-and-play approach repurposes proven gear, slashing lead times and trimming capex. Charbone is well-placed for long-term growth.
  • Exclusive focus on ultra-pure green hydrogen production: Charbone is dedicated to producing hydrogen using renewable hydroelectric and nuclear energy — a critical pathway to decarbonization and huge demand of ultra-high purity hydrogen in electronics and military sectors.

Project Pipeline and Key Partnerships

Charbone forged strong partnerships to execute its business model. Here’s where it gets cool: renewable hydroelectricity powers electrolyzers that split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Purification skids then crank it up to 99.999% purity—true industrial grade. This hydrogen production model serves everything from fuel-cell fleets and semiconductor fabs to specialty metal processing and next-gen refueling stations.

Charbone isn’t flying solo. They’ve teamed up with:

  • A leading Canadian energy distributor supplying the battle-tested equipment
  • Hydro-Québec delivering clean, reliable electrons
  • An ABB partnership to boost North American production networks
  • Offtake and supply agreements with U.S. Tier-One industrial gases producer
  • Public listings on TSX Venture, OTCQB, and Frankfurt for global financing access

This lineup de-risks the rollout and turbocharges their momentum.

Charbone has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ABB to collaborate on the development of up to 15 modular and scalable green hydrogen production facilities across North America over the next five years. Under the MOU, ABB will support CHARBONE in standardizing basic engineering for systems and components across its project portfolio to increase energy efficiency and reliability.

Among the sites covered by the collaboration is Charbone’s flagship Sorel-Tracy facility near Montreal in Québec, Canada, which is currently under construction. The Sorel-Tracy facility is located on a 40,000-square-meter land parcel along Quebec Highway 30, known as the “Steel Highway” because of the numerous steel mills and process plants operating along the highway.

The construction of its Sorel-Tracy facility is being done in partnership with EBC, one of the largest construction companies in Quebec. EBC has a proven track record of designing and building facilities in Canada and the US. The partnership agreement gives EBC the right of first refusal to construct additional Sorel-Tracy phases, as well as one or all of Charbone’s facilities within the North American market.

In addition, Charbone has entered into several other strategic partnerships, all aimed at expanding its footprint in North America. The company entered into a special consultancy agreement with Enki GéoSolutions for potential partnership proposals as a co-operator and distributor of an emerging form of clean and renewable hydrogen, known as white or natural hydrogen.

In June 2024, Carbone executed a supply agreement for a complete containerized electrolyzer system ready for shipment to its flagship green hydrogen site in the City of Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. The electrolyzer has a higher capacity than originally planned and will significantly enhance initial operational capacity estimates. The company also acquired its first tube trailer for the transport and bulk delivery of compressed green hydrogen produced from the City of Sorel-Tracy, Quebec flagship project to local and domestic customers.

Charbone signed commercial supply agreements (CSAs) with a top-tier US industrial gas producer and distributor. The first CSA secures hydrogen supply ahead of Charbone’s own production, while the second expands its product offerings to include helium and other industrial gases. Positioned to capitalize on emerging North American opportunities, particularly in Canada, Charbone leverages its early-mover advantage to build strategic partnerships and strengthen its role in the low-carbon, high-purity hydrogen market.

Superior Plus

This partnership allows Charbone to sell hydrogen produced at the Sorel-Tracy facility to Certarus, a subsidiary of Superior Plus. Such supply agreements ensure that Charbone can generate cash flow immediately following the commencement of production.

Charbone Hydrogen entered into an off-take partnership with Certarus on the supply and

distribution of green hydrogen.

NEK Community Broadband

Another such supply agreement was signed in November 2023 with NEK Community Broadband, which ensures the supply of green hydrogen in the Northeast Kingdom of the state of Vermont (USA). NEK Broadband is building a high-speed broadband infrastructure and plans to install a hydrogen fuel cell backup system for a reliable power supply.

Oakland County Economic Development Department, Michigan

Further advancing its goal of US expansion, Charbone signed a memorandum of understanding in December 2023 with Michigan’s Oakland County Economic Development Department to set up Charbone’s first green hydrogen facility in the United States. Oakland County is home to major automakers, and a green hydrogen facility in their proximity will support the effort of producing environmentally friendly mobility options.

Being the only publicly listed green hydrogen player in Canada, Charbone offers investors a unique opportunity to participate in the rise of green hydrogen as a potential low-emitting alternative to fossil fuels.

Management Team

Dave Gagnon – Chairman and CEO

Dave Gagnon has been chairman and chief executive officer of Charbone Hydrogen Corporation since April 21, 2022. With over 20 years of executive leadership experience in Cleantech, Wind Power, Hydropower, Lithium Resources, and Industrial Gases, he has built a career focused on scaling innovative infrastructure, accelerating sustainable energy solutions, and leading cross-border growth initiatives in high-impact sectors.

Benoit Veilleux – Chief Financial Officer

Benoit Veilleux was appointed as the CFO of Charbone on August 15, 2022. Veilleux has over 15 years of experience in corporate accounting and finance. He began his professional career at KPMG in 2003, where he managed and coordinated audit teams for public companies until 2010. Since then, he has worked with a number of companies including Air Liquide Canada and the Hypertec Group.

Daniell Charette – Chief Operating Officer

Daniell Charette has been the chief operating officer of Charbone since February 2019. He brings over 25 years of experience in running and managing renewable energy companies. He has worked in senior leadership roles with several renewable companies including NEG Micon A/S, Vestas and Brookfield Power. He has served on various association boards and councils, including the Canadian Wind Energy Association, Association Québécoise des Producteurs d’Énergie Renouvelable, and Latin Wind Energy Association.

Francois Vitez – Director

Francois Vitez is a hydropower and energy storage expert with more than 24 years of experience in development, engineering and construction management as well as operations and maintenance of hydropower and energy storage projects in North America and internationally. He is a board member and chair of the Value of Hydropower committee at Waterpower Canada, vice-chair of the Energy Storage Association of Canada, board member of the California Energy Storage Association, and member of the International Hydropower Association.

Patrick Cuddihy – Industrial Gases Operations Team

Patrick Cuddihy is a seasoned operations leader with over 20 years of experience at Air Liquide Canada, to its hydrogen operations team. Patrick brings a wealth of expertise in managing industrial gas production and distribution, having held senior roles including network sales director for Quebec Region, general manager for Pacific Region, director of procurement services, and director of logistics and assets for the Eastern Region.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com